This Sunday, we set our clocks back to Standard time to put more daylight in our days and with all that’s been going on, it’s not a bad time at all to start lightening up.

So far, it looks like things are getting maybe just a tiny bit brighter as numbers for the economy improve, Obama’s ratings rise, GOP candidates implode and Occupy Wall Street builds its powerful impact on the political dialog and future of this nation.

Many concerns and worries exist but why not take this weekend to spread a little brightness and sunshine around?

The little one on the right at the end will obviously grow up to be an attorney. Made all the salient points of why eating all the candy is not a good idea. His little brother, however, is likely to be a Republican, given his difficulty in math and communication. (Both are adorable to be honest)

KT, yes it was! I lived in Brooklyn and commuted into Manhattan. Moved to the upper East side and lived there for a couple of years..easier to get to work. When I was there, I loved it, but I wouldn’t go back for all the tea in China! I do love my solitude here in the mountains!

Bito, You could NEVER be snotty! And you are also correct…it is the Intra-Coastal Waterway, but that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue! Locals call it the Inland Waterway. Your tax dollars at work for sure! It’s a great thing that ships can avoid some pretty treacherous waters by navigating up and down the waterway. There’s usually pretty heavy traffic and it was fun to sit up on the dunes and watch the big boats come through under the drawbridge. We used to wave at the sailors and they would blow the ship’s horn for us! A great thing for kids!

Sue, the Inland Waterway goes all the way from Florida up to the northeast coast. It’s a perfect place to water-ski! I spent a great deal of time there as a teenager. My mom would rent a house for the summer at a little place called Holden Beach, south of Wrightsville. Very quiet and not commercial at all. Great beach, beautiful sand dunes, great memories.

Not to be snotty Em, Sue, but I believe it’s known as the “Inter-coastal Waterway.” That aside, it is quite a beautiful system, I have spent many hours on it in the Florida portion pretending I was fishing but mostly enjoying the wildlife. It was always teeming with birds and a vast amounts of sea life. Oh, how I miss water ways where I live.

(and yes, I have to get political but many of the connecting pathways were done by that damn Fedrul Gubment and are still maintained by them at taxpayer expense)

Em you mention the beaches in NC? I loved them, went to Wrights beach and others when I was there. My cousin on the other hand, loved our beaches because they were so different from yours. If you ever get out here, look me up I will take you to all the best places

That’s like me and the city of Boston. Great town, great times, but now it would just be too hectic and noisy. Cape Cod, on the other hand, is one of the most beautiful and peaceful place in America, maybe the world.

I’ve only been to the Cape once and it was really nice. I still prefer NC’s quiet beaches though. The water is not as cold! The Cape is gorgeous, no doubt, but did you ever go to the Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras? Okracoke Island is one of my favorites. Lots or pirate lore in those parts! Blackbeard and the like..

KT , Neil Sedaka wrote some fun songs but he wrote this: There was a Time When Strangers Were Welcome Here. It is a wonderful set of lyrics, if you can take the time. As an immigrant myself, it says basically what we have today: when there was room, people were welcome. I’m schmaltzy, but I think it’s a good tune.

I don’t think it schmaltzy at all! I have always loved Sedaka. He really has a unique voice, very pure! And I’ve always liked this song…sentiments a long ways away from the anti-immigrant vitriol that we hear now

There were so many Em. I can still remember sitting in my room, while still in high school, listening to their great album Scarborough Fair. It’s really what got me interested in poetry. (plus it was a good way to get girls) 😉